Tupac’s recording career began in the early 1990s with the release of "2pacalypse Now," an album rife with political overtones that featured lyrics about urban ghetto life. In 1994, Tupac formed the Thug Life group, a name which represented his belief that he was destined to lead a cultural revolution of violence in the inner city. However, the group suffered an early demise as a result of Tupac’s arrest and conviction in 1995 on charges of sexual assault. Tupac’s next album, “Me Against the World,” was released in 1995 during his eight months in prison. It was during this time that Tupac took on the pseudonym of Makaveli.

After his release from prison, Tupac became involved in an ongoing rivalry between members of the East and West Coast rap music scenes. His 1996 album, "All Eyez on Me," attacked those he believed to be his enemies, threatened multiple acts of violence, and solidified his outspoken belief that he would die an early and violent death. Roughly one year later, on September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, and died of his wounds six days later. The 1996 album,"The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory," was released under the pseudonym Makaveli shortly after his death.